Killing Windows Explorer in Windows 11 can seem a bit dodgy at first, but honestly, it’s dead set straightforward once you know where to look. If your desktop icons or taskbar pack up and disappear after a crash or freeze, this trick can get them back without having to restart the whole darn PC. Just a heads-up: sometimes it’s a bit flaky, like needing to try twice or a quick reboot if things don’t sort themselves out straight away, but usually, it’s a got no worries fix.
How to Start Windows Explorer After Killing It in Windows 11
Restarting Windows Explorer resets the whole desktop vibe — fair dinkum handy if it’s hanging or your icons have gone walkabout. Here’s the step-by-step, with a few extra tips that might not be obvious straight away.
Step 1: Open Task Manager
First up: right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager,” or just press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. If that doesn’t pop up the Task Manager right away, you can also try via Start Menu → Settings → Apps → Startup, or run taskmgr.exe from the Run dialog (Win + R).
The reason: Task Manager is your best mate here. It’s the easy go-to for stopping and restarting processes on the fly. Sometimes Windows makes it a bit tricky to find, but it’s always there when you need it.
Step 2: Click “File” and Pick “Run New Task”
Inside Task Manager, go to the File menu and select Run new task. If it’s hard to spot, look for a hamburger menu icon on the top left — give that a click for the same option.
This opens a small box where you can type commands directly — dead easy. If your system’s locked down or customised, some options might be disabled, but usually, you can run “explorer.exe” from here.
Step 3: Type explorer.exe and Hit Enter
Type explorer.exe exactly in the box, then press Enter. That kicks off Windows Explorer again, which controls your desktop, taskbar, and start menu.
Why do it? Because if Explorer crashes or hangs, clicking “Restart now” gives your system a fresh lease on life.
Step 4: Wait for Windows Explorer to Come Back
You’ll notice your desktop flicker or go blank for a tick — totally normal, as Explorer shuts down and starts again. Give it a few seconds, and your icons, taskbar, and start menu should pop back up. If it’s taking longer, don’t stress — sometimes the system’s a bit sluggish or Explorer was acting dodgy before.
Step 5: Check If Everything’s Sorted
Have a quick squiz — icons, quick launch, taskbar icons — all there? Try opening a folder or clicking the start button. If it’s all good, you’re laughs. If not, maybe give it another go or check if other issues are mucking about — like updates or a virus scan.
One thing I’ve picked up: if Explorer keeps crashing, doing it once might not do the trick. You might need a restart or look into any system updates. Also, best to avoid turning off the whole system unless absolutely necessary. Restarting Explorer keeps things humming without a full reboot.
Tips for Rebooting Windows Explorer After Killing It in Windows 11
- Make sure you can get to Task Manager quick-smart — maybe set up a shortcut on your desktop for Task Manager for emergencies.
- If Ctrl + Shift + Esc doesn’t do the trick, try Ctrl + Alt + Del and select “Task Manager” from the menu.
- Getting comfy with the command
explorer.exein Run or Command Prompt can come in handy down the track. - Keep Windows up to date — bugs that cause Explorer to freak out often get patched via Settings → Windows Update.
- Or, if this problem keeps happening, set up a small script or shortcut to restart Explorer — you can even make a batch file with `taskkill /f /im explorer.exe` and `start explorer.exe`. Just make sure you know what it’s doing before you run it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don’t restart Windows Explorer?
If Explorer takes a hike, your taskbar and desktop icons might go walkabout, leaving you with a blank screen. It makes navigating a real head-scratcher.
Can I restart Windows Explorer without Task Manager?
Sure can. You can use Command Prompt or PowerShell. Just open a terminal and type taskkill /f /im explorer.exe to kill it, then run start explorer.exe to bring it back. Two commands, done and dusted. You can also do this via Run by typing those commands directly.
Why does Windows Explorer crash in the first place?
No one’s really sure — might be a bug, dodgy update, or conflicting software. Sometimes it just decides to freeze or crash for no good reason, especially if your PC’s low on juice or some background app is misbehaving.
Is restarting Windows Explorer safe?
Too right. Explorer is built for this. Crashes happen, and restarting it won’t do your system any harm — it just refreshes the interface and often sorts out the little gremlins.
Do I need to reboot the whole PC if Explorer crashes again and again?
Usually not. Restarting Explorer through Task Manager or via commands does the trick, so you’re better off trying that first. A full reboot is only for those stubborn situations where nothing else works.
Quick Wrap
- Fire up Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click taskbar)
- Hit “File” and pick “Run new task”
- Type
explorer.exeand press Enter - Watch the desktop come back — icons should reappear
- Give it a go — if all good, your work’s a treat
That’s about all there is to it. Straightforward enough, and I’ve seen it work heaps of times. Hopefully, it stops you from having to reboot the whole rig, or at least makes things quicker. If the updates kick in, that’s a win too. Cheers!